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(No ModeL) J. P; COLLINS.

WHIFFLETREE. No. 314,803. Patented Mar. 31, 1885.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. COLLINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

WHIFFLETREE.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent No. 314,803, dated March 31, 1885.

Application filed July 11, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. COLLINS, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elastic Whiffletrees; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to the class of devices known as elastic whiffietrees, wherein the moving strain is transmitted to the body of the vehicle and sudden strain compensated for by means of the spring action ofthe whiffletree itself.

My present invention is designed to furnish a whiffletree embodying this general principle, and of such construction as to afford the largest degree of relief to the animal or other IIlO- tive power employed from overwork, undue strain, or injury, increasing at the same time the durability and simplicity of arrangement of the whiftletree parts.

Referring more particularly to the accon1- panying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, Figure 1 represents a side view of my invention. Fig. 2 represents a top view of the same. Fig. 3 represents a side view on a smaller scale, showing a modification of the manner of joining the parts. Figs. 4 and 5 represent, respectively, detail side and front elevations of the connections for the traces or single-trees.

A designates the whiffletree proper, con structed of as many curvilinear metallic sec-. tions or leaves as may be required to'give adequate strength. The separate sections are varied in length, so as to insure the highest degree of elasticity consistent with strength, and are firmly bound together at their center by a strong piece of metal, B, consisting of two opposite check-pieces united by a cross-partition, upon which the leaves rest.

The leaves are retained in position by means of a bolt, H, passing through them and se- Side and end.

bolts D, attached to the outer extremities of the yokes E E, which latter terminate in rings N for the attachment of the traces or of singletrees, when the latter are used.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the bolt-hole B is shown on the convex side of the whiffietree; but in some cases the form of construction of the wagon truck,other vehicle,or agricultural implement to which it is attached is such that the center piece requires to be reversed, so that the bolthole and point of connection will be on the concave side, as shown in the single-trees, Fig. 3. The appliance operates equally well when fitted either way.

In Fig. 3 the single-trees are represented as of like construction with the double-tree, and the best results are attained with this arrangement. In some cases, however, the doubletree alone will afford sufficient relief, and wooden or other single-trees may be substituted for those shown.

Having thus described myinvention, whatl claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

A whiflletree consisting of a number of leaves, in combination with a central fastening consisting of a basal support, opposite cheek-pieces,slotted on their edges, as shown, a retainingplate provided with lugs fitting in said slots, and a bolt andnut or their equivalents for joining the parts, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. COLLINS.

Witnesses:

R. O. HANCE, FRANCIS HERNE. 

